RSPB and renewable energy

[skier-hughes]

Well all the posts about birds being killed by turbines appears to be overcome by the need to protect the whole environemnt from overheating, according to the RSPB.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/climate/help/renewablesrevolution/index.asp

 

[Edwardia]

Wind turbines are being erected on Romney Marsh in Kent. This is a really important area for birds and the RSPB has a site at Dungeness. Although Shepway District Council objected to the erection of the turbines, it was over-ruled by the Govt

 

[Penners]

When our local pub applied for consent to put up a turbine, the local objectors gave dire warnings of wholesale avian slaughter.

The turbine has now been up for over a year, and there's no pile of bird carcasses beneath it.

 

[skier-hughes]

There wouldn't be would there.......

Look about 500 yards away in the direction of turbine turning :lol:

 

[MdB]

It's a pub, I would check their specials board to see if anything unusual turns up on the menu...

 

[Penners]

I would check their specials board to see if anything unusual turns up on the menu...

Oh, my word. I did wonder where the minced starling pie came from. :shock:

 

[plumbers mate]

A friend of mine was concerned (not seriously - I hope?) that if all the turbines were rotating in the same direction all at the same time, the world would start moving off, out of orbit ...
He's a sensible person usually - :roll:

 

[skier-hughes]

Have you not watched a wind farm, that's the very reason equal amounts rotate clockwise and others anti-clockwise.

 

[biffvernon]

Wind turbines are being erected on Romney Marsh in Kent. This is a really important area for birds and the RSPB has a site at Dungeness. Although Shepway District Council objected to the erection of the turbines, it was over-ruled by the Govt

When sea level rises the birds can perch on the semi-submerged ruins of the nuclear power station.

 

[Penners]

When sea level rises the birds can perch on the semi-submerged ruins of the nuclear power station.

Which presumably means that visitors to Vernon Towers will be issued with scuba kit?

 

[biffvernon]

It's lasted 250 years so far but I doubt that will be repeated. Our field was partly flooded in 1953 and sea level is rising. We may survive our natural life but the house won't as too many people don't give that future timescale a priority. It's good to see the RSPB giving leadership to their million+ members.

 

[ilikecobwebs]

Anyone who thinks that it is possible to run the whole of the UK on windmills is off their trolley. While I have few objections to the odd small group of turbines here and there, I do object to the notion of seeing them plastered by the thousand across landmarks, prominent ridges, whole islands and other beauty spots. Last year I joined in supporting a large group of people in their efforts to prevent half a dozen 300-foot high turbines being built on one of Somerset's most prominent landmarks. They have their uses, certainly for isolated communities and small-scale requirements, but would be needed in monstrous numbers to power the country. And anyway, what happens when the wind doesn't blow? :lol:
I'm also a RSPB member and feel at odds with the society over the whole turbine thing. One has to just pray that flocks of birds will use their intelligence to identify areas of danger and steer around them. I have seen turbines on industrial sites, check out three at Portbury docks Bristol, and quite a number on the coastline along from Maryport, Cumbria; they look ok there, but inland on open countryside??
The concern about chopping up birds can also be extended to fish in the sea, if any of these underwater power systems get going. Areas in SCotland are being eyeballed for a massive project; should be plenty of ready-sliced salmon (I hope not).
One may not like the idea of more nuclear power stations but at present it is the only option likely to provide the bulk of power needed.
Period properties could actually play a part, if they are positioned near rivers; old unused mills could be re-powered and
generate electricity directly via their water-wheels; there are plenty of them around the country; I saw three on holiday this year, within a mile of each other; derelict, no roofs, usual thing, but with bags of fast-running river water just outside.

 

[MdB]

... they look ok there, but inland on open countryside??

I live a mile from 20+ wind turbines, inland and on the top of the hill and I have not come across anybody who complains about them. Sure there are places where they are not appropriate but a lot of people think that they look fine especially compared to the look of a nuclear power station and/or the effects of global warming.

The concern about chopping up birds can also be extended to fish in the sea,

Do you have any evidence at all that this is a problem?

old unused mills could be re-powered and generate electricity directly via their water-wheels;

They would be toys. The amount of energy they could produce would be insignificant.

 

[Flyfisher]

The French have the right idea about energy security. I believe they generate over 75% of their electricity this way (and about 5% of ours). And now they've played their 'Ace' by buying British Energy so they can build more nuclear capacity but site it in the UK and export it home using the existing grid connection under the channel. Outstanding strategy.
Cynical? Moi?

 

[ilikecobwebs]

How much power does 20 turbines generate? It isn't a high number. You need an awful lot to power large cities and maybe people would think less favourably if they had 2000 of them on their doorstep. The energy required to construct thousands and thousands of turbines is enormous, too; as here:
http://www.poweredgenerators.com/wind/dark-side.html

Anything whizzing around in water is bound to affect the sealife living in it. I am never convinced when someone says that a development will not have any effect on wildlife. There is always an effect. As it is, I believe the electricity generated from a proposed Severn Barrage is likely to be quite expensive.
Mills might not power huge areas on their own, but they should be considered in a collective, along with the other non-nuclear methods, to make up a percentage of generation. Any form of power generation has its drawbacks, because you can't get something for nothing. Maybe if Tesla's secrets are worked out.......I'm still reading his books.

 

[Edwardia]

If solar panels were cheaper I'd have them on my roof. If lots of people did, that would make a difference

 

[Penners]

Anyone who thinks that it is possible to run the whole of the UK on windmills is off their trolley....
old unused mills could be re-powered and generate electricity directly via their water-wheels

I have to say that I find those two statements rather at odds with each other. Firstly, nobody is suggesting that wind turbines can power the whole of the UK. But they have a significant place in a mixed bag of energy sources.

However, I'm afraid I agree with MdB about re-using old water wheels. It's a perfectly sensible plan to resurrect those that can be pressed back into service, but they will never make anything more than a minute contribution to our energy needs.

The concern about shredded birds has largely been debunked, and I suspect that your fears about salmon steaks will go the same route. One of the factors to consider is that the water will be pushing the device, and not the other way around. Then consider how often ships' propellers (that push the water) result in sealife damage. Very occasionally, and each case is regrettable, but it's rare.

 

[MdB]

If solar panels were cheaper I'd have them on my roof. If lots of people did, that would make a difference

Once PV solar power manufacturing plants start to use their own products to generate the electricity used to make their solar cells then we are getting somewhere. Currently they don't as the energy to manufacture is too great and fitting PV solar power is a completely ungreen thing to do and harms the environment. This is changing though as new technology comes along with the promise of 1$ per Watt panels being produced.

 

[biffvernon]

Anything whizzing around in water is bound to affect the sealife living in it.

Whizzing around in water? What are you talking about?

 

[MdB]

Whizzing around in water? What are you talking about?

I assume this:
http://www.reuk.co.uk/Worlds-First-Open-Sea-Tidal-Turbine.htm